Noted scientists Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray from the Colorado State University have just released their annual predictions for the 2012 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season. The forecasters predict a below-average Hurricane season based on a number of factors which suppress hurricane activity including the cooling of the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the developing El Nino in the Pacific. The forecast is based on a new extended-range early April statistical prediction scheme that uses 29 years of past data, according to the report.

10 named storms are predicted to form in the tropics this season along with 4 hurricanes, 40 named storm days, 16 hurricane days, 2 major hurricanes, and 3 major hurricane days. Of the two major hurricanes there is the probability of one major hurricane of a category 3 or higher tracking into the Caribbean.

The hurricane names for 2012 have been listed and are as follows: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie, and William.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30.